While many students at the University of Minnesota opt to go abroad for an entire semester, it can be a challenge for some to fit a full semester into their schedule.
The University’s Learning Abroad Center (LAC) offers programs over winter break for students looking to go abroad for a shorter period of time or to beat the cold weather.
LAC Director of Programs Zach Mohs said full semester abroad programs can be a lot for students. He added there may be other factors hindering their ability to go abroad for that long, and a winter break session is a great way to combat that.
“It’s typically a time where I would say students don’t have as many commitments, and most of the programs leave typically right after Christmas and then get back before spring semester starts,” Mohs said. “So again, there’s that window that works really well in general with those programs.”
The weather in Minnesota is also a draw for students to go abroad over winter break, Mohs said. Programs offered in Mexico, Australia and Thailand are popular for students for that reason.
For programs in Mexico especially, students can take Spanish-intensive courses while abroad, which can be helpful for those looking to improve their understanding of the language, Mohs said.
In the winter break sessions, students typically take one seminar course with varying credits. Taking any course abroad can provide a cultural context to supplement the course.
“It’s nice to get credits done at a time when most people are not making progress,” Mohs said. “Whether it’s a liberal education requirement or language requirement or a major requirement.”
Paige Dubbin, who graduated from the University in July, studied global health in Thailand last winter break. As a pre-med student, she said it was difficult to find a program that fit her schedule.
The global health program in Thailand was a perfect fit for her interests, Dubbin said. While in Thailand, she visited hospitals and other wellness places to gain perspective on how healthcare works in other countries.
“I was really curious to learn why and what makes it such a popular tourist destination, and now I know why, Dubbin said. “Because it’s wonderful.”
Dubbin said she learned a lot from her time abroad, especially how religion plays a part in the culture of the country.
“We went to temples every day. We met with monks every day. We learned all about their culture and their religion,” Dubbin said. “That was something that I had never really known anything about, and it was interesting.”
Dubbin also visited elephant conservation camps, where the group discussed morality and what is humane for animals.
”One thing I learned was how morality is often associated with status,” Dubbin said. “But I felt like it would kind of be wrong for an outsider to judge how the Thai people were humane to these animals when I’ve never seen an elephant in my life until I got there. It was really cool to learn about all these different viewpoints and get access to all of that.”
Going to Thailand changed Dubbin’s life, she said. One thing she loved about going abroad was meeting people and learning the culture of the country.
“It was the biggest life-changing experience ever,” Dubbin said. “I would not be the person I am today without that trip.”
